Willits House, Prairie School residence in Highland Park, United States
The Willits House is a single-family residence in Highland Park featuring long horizontal lines that run across its exterior and broad overhanging roofs. Large windows and open-plan rooms inside connect directly to the surrounding landscape without barriers between inside and outside.
Built in the early 1900s, this house was designed for businessman Ward Willits and became a turning point in how American homes were built and designed. The project showed that homes could be both practical and artistic, influencing residential architecture for decades to come.
The house reflects a shift in how Americans thought about living spaces, moving away from closed-off rooms toward a more flowing design. Walking through, you notice how the interior opens outward, making the natural surroundings feel like part of the home itself.
You can view the exterior from the street without needing special permission or access, making it easy to see the design from different angles. For more detailed information about the building and its design, the Highland Park Historical Society can provide guided materials and historical context.
The interior features custom-designed built-in furniture that was planned as part of the overall design rather than added afterward. Each piece was crafted to fit the room's purpose and the home's architectural philosophy, showing how completely the designer thought through every detail.
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